North Melbourne defender Scott McMahon will miss the opening round AFL clash with Collingwood after accepting a suspension.

McMahon has accepted a one-match ban for striking Geelong’s Jordan Murdoch during a pre-season game on Saturday. He would have risked a two-game sanction had he fought the charge.

The backman will join veteran Brent Harvey on the sidelines.

Harvey will miss the opening six rounds because of a suspension he received for striking two West Coast players in last year’s elimination final loss.